Verizon now saying 4G LTE rollout will be complete by mid-2013

While other carriers are still attempting to reach the milestone of 100 markets with 4G LTE, Verizon is already on its way to completing its network. Big Red’s original estimation was that the company would complete its aggressive 4G LTE rollout by the end of 2013. “Complete” would be pretty much blanketing its current 3G coverage (hint: it’s a lot) with 4G.

That in itself was an ambitious goal, but it seems Verizon is doing so well that the company may have underestimated its own capabilities. Fran Shammo, Verizon’s CFO, spoke to media this morning and told everyone that the company is now aiming to complete the network by mid-2013.

If we assume a 12 month scale from January 1st, 2013 on Big Red’s original goal, then that means a whole half a year has been shaved off the end of Verizon’s timeline. It’s an impressive feat for the carrier to be able to stretch its expectations when most companies would likely face delays of varying lengths. Verizon’s coffers are filled to the brim, though, and they’re throwing a crap ton of money at advancing its network.

The focus on building its 4G LTE network out in a timely fashion is important because the company has committed to putting  4G LTE inside all its smartphones and tablets from the beginning of 2012. Sprint and AT&T seem to be doing the same in that regard, and while their rollout efforts are admirable it doesn’t seem like anyone will be able to catch up to Verizon at this break-neck pace.

[via Fierce Wireless]

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Instagram launches profile pages, inches one step closer to becoming a real social network

Instagram is great. There are a lot of things I love about the budding social network/pseudo photo hosting service and one of them is simply the archiving and sharing of your real world life through pictures — not meaningless stuff you’ve come across on the internet. Sure all that can be fun, but internet diarrhea is better left to Facebook and Google+.

One of the strangest (and best) parts about Instagram is that it was never web based, meaning there was no real way to access the site via your computer. Sure you could view people’s pictures, heart them, comment, and follow — but that was really the extent of it. Honestly, it blew my mind when I first discovered it but it quickly grew on me. There was certain level of secrecy in Instagram. Like a club that required you to have a smartphone to gain admittance. Well, now all of that is about to change.

Today, Instagram has launched their all new profile pages. These are users profiles that can be viewed via the web and quite honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. What was once reserved for “members only,” pictures of my life are now strewn across the net for everyone and anyone to view and gawk at. While it’s hard to put into words exactly what I’m feeling, the closest thing I can compare it to is someone ripping off my towel off and there I am… exposed. For the world to see. (I swear, I just got out of the pool).

In its current state, profile pages are severely limited by what they give a user access to. For instance, there’s currently no way to view your followers, or who your following — making the viewing of your friends profile pages a chore (you’re going to have to enter their user name in the URL every time. Sure there are other web-based services like web.stagram, but it would have been nice to not rely on a 3rd party.

I invite you guys if you haven’t already, to join up and friend me. Despite what the naysayers will… nay say, Instagram is a lot of fun and quickly becoming my favorite place to share my life (not what’s going on on the internet) and learn more about fellow Android peeps. I just pray Instagram will never be fully accessible from the desktop, allowing users to upload pics from their computers. It’s the one thing that’s kept the service “pure.” Oh, and limiting the amount of hashtags from #Instawhores. Before I go, here’s a quick video from one of my favorite videographers explaining what makes Instagram so great and how you can help keep it from sucking.

[Play Store Link]

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HTC Droid DNA (DLX) shows up at the FCC, cleared for takeoff on Verizon Wireless

Customers on the nation’s largest wireless network who have been eyeballing the HTC Droid DNA (DLX) better have most of their pennies saved up. A filing at the FCC today hints that the moster-spec’d device is making a b-line straight for Verizon Wireless. Okay, so that part we’ve known for quite sometime, but without a specific date on when we should crack open our piggy banks, it looks like we’re finally one step closer.

What is essentially a US variant of the HTC J Butterfly we told you guys about a few weeks back, the HTC Droid DNA will feature an industry first 1080p 5-inch SCLD3 display, 1.5GHz Qualcomm S4 Pro quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and possible 8MP camera (that part is still a little fuzzy). While those specs might seem like overkill to the uninitiated, that means a display that will faithfully produce images equal to real world print. Count me in.

The filing lists the device’s product number (HTC6435LVW) as well as the usual radio bands showing support for Verizon’s unique CDMA/LTE combo, as well as global bands for the Android globetrotter.

Hopefully this device wont suffer from any delays (Verizon has a history of extensively testing devices on their network), in which case we should expect it in time for the holidays. Still up in the air is whether or not we’ll see other variants for other carriers (like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint). But with AT&T set to receive the One X+ next month, T-Mobile on a limited budget, I’d be willing to bet we’ll see this arrive as an EVO sequel for Sprint (yes, that’s pure and baseless speculation). Those of you not on Verizon, would you like an opportunity to pick up for your carrier?

[via FCC | Engadget]

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LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 headed to Sprint November 11th

Those of you who were waiting for an LTE tablet on the Now Network can rest easy knowing that the first ever offering of such quality is on its way. Sprint has announced it would be carrying Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 starting November 11th, and if you want to go along for the exciting ride you’ll have to throw $550 onto the counter. It looks like that price is off-contract so you won’t have to sign two years of your wireless life away just to have it.

As its name suggests, the device has a 10.1 inch display but also comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 3 megapixel camera on the back with a VGA camera on the front, Android 4.0, and more.

Sprint likely won’t be getting much kickback in the way of profit margins so the company is more focused on selling you the data plans it has more than the tablet itself. Sprint touts 20% more data than competing carriers for the same price so they’re banking on that being a major selling point.

Despite the new Galaxy Note 10.1 launching, the Tab 2 10.1 is still a great device. It really comes down to the LTE — do you really need an LTE radio built-in or not? Considering mobile hotspot devices and tethering options on phones the need for internal cellular radios are becoming less important, but we’re sure there are still a few of you out there who would rather not go the WiFi-only route. For more details on Sprint’s pricing plans be sure to read on for full press details.

First 4G LTE Tablet from Sprint, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Available Beginning Nov. 11 for $549.99

New tablet plans offer customers up to 20 percent more data than AT&T on similarly priced tablet plans

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 01, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE:S), the only national carrier with Truly Unlimited? 4G LTE data for smartphones while on the Sprint network, will offer its first 4G LTE tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab^® 2 10.1, beginning Sunday, Nov. 11, for $549.99 (excluding taxes and surcharges). It will be available in Sprint retail stores, online at www.sprint.com or by calling 1-800-SPRINT1.

“Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 brings Sprint 4G LTE to a new category of device and expands a portfolio already recognized as one of the industry’s best,” said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “This new tablet combined with the Sprint 4G LTE network and our aggressively priced tablet rate plan options offer consumers and business users an exciting new way to stay connected and productive with a large workspace in an easily portable device.”

Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 can be activated on one of the new, aggressively priced month-to-month tablet rate plans for Sprint 4G LTE-enabled tablets. Starting at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE data, $34.99 for 3GB of data, $49.99 for 6GB of data and $79.99 for 12GB of data, Sprint’s new plans offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 tablet rate plan¹.

Sprint smartphone customers² can add Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to their account with a specially discounted rate plan that includes 1GB of data for only $15 per month or as little as $10 per month for 100MB of data on the Sprint network. For a limited time, Sprint is waiving the activation fee on all 3G/4G LTE tablets.

Month-to-Month Plan Comparison – 3G/4G LTE Tablets

Sprint

AT&T

Verizon

$14.99/300MB

$14.99/250MB

NONE

$15.00/1GB smartphone offer

NONE

NONE

$34.99/3GB

$30/3GB

$40/4GB

$49.99/6GB

$50/5GB

$50/6GB

$79.99/12GB

NONE

$80/12GB

With Sprint, 20 percent more data than AT&T on the $49.99 plan equals 1GB or approximately 50,000 emails, 2,000 web page views or 3,333 more picture uploads.³

Sprint also offers convenient Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for tablets that provide customers with the freedom and flexibility to bill to a credit card when they might only need a plan occasionally. Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for tablets start at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE data, $34.99 for 3GB of data, $49.99 for 6GB of data and $79.99 for 12GB of data and offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 rate plans and 20 percent more data for the same price as Verizon at the $50 and $80 rate plans⁴. (All rate plans exclude taxes and surcharges.)

Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)⁵, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 boasts access to the Sprint 4G LTE network (available in select markets), Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and a beautiful 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 also features two cameras, a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera and camcorder for capturing life’s important moments as they happen and a front-facing VGA camera for Face Unlock and video chat.

With the built-in IR Blaster, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 can be used as a universal smart remote that helps users easily find their favorite TV shows and control their TV, set top box and other home theater equipment. It also comes with AllShare^® to easily share photo albums, videos and other user-generated content between other DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified^® devices.

On-device encryption and VPN access also help ensure the tablet is secure for business use. The 7,000mAh battery allows businesses to keep their workers connected all day long. The 3G/4G LTE mobile hotspot capability can be used to share a web connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously so teams can work away from the office.

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities. Continuing its nationwide rollout of 4G LTE, Sprint recently announced plans to deliver 4G LTE to an additional 115 cities in the coming months. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in its 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint atwww.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Samsung Mobile

Samsung Mobile (Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC), a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks. Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns.

¹20 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $14.99, $49.99.

²Qualifying smartphone plans include: Simply Everything, Simply Everything Share, Everything Business, Everything Data, Everything Data Share, Business Advantage Messaging & Data, Business Share Plus with Pro Pack Plus.

³The above numbers are estimates and data transfer amounts may vary. Roaming limits apply to data plans; see the individual plan for details and restrictions. Our math works like this: 1024 kb=1MB. 1024 MB=1 GB. We used these estimates to do our calculations on each type of data transfer: email (no attachment): 20KB/ea.; picture: 300KB/ea.; music streaming: 1MB/min; video streaming: 250MB/hr; web surfing: 500KB/page.

⁴20 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $49.99, $79.99.

⁵Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012.

Plans also include off-network data allowance of 25MB, 100MB or 300MB depending on selection. For National Offers: Additional on-network data usage is $0.05/MB and additional off-network usage above allowance is $0.25/MB.

Samsung and Galaxy Tab are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50462626&lang=en

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